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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Last week I just wasn't feeling it with TOM and health insurance shockers...I didn't have it in me to write my weekly post. And that's OK, it happens sometimes. Still feeling bloated but able to think more clearly this week. To start us off today I have a giveaway.

The Yoga Collective

I was contacted by The Yoga Collective to check out their yoga workout videos. I was given three codes for a free year's membership in exchange for my honest review, one for myself and two to give away.

There are quite a variety of workouts to choose from and some positions I hadn't seen before visiting The Yoga Collective. The first thing I noticed when searching the videos were the levels. I had not seen a number system like this before so I asked the rep to explain the differences. Reading his explanations I considered myself mostly a level 2.

1 is beginner, introducing you to yoga and understanding about breathing and the importance of yoga.

1+ is still beginner but you actually start doing yoga and doing basic stretches.

2 is intermediate. It builds off level 1 and shows you a few more advance moves.

2+ assumes that you know level 1 and the yoga is a little more fast pace because we assume you have watched the previous levels.

3 is advance. We assume you know what you are doing you know the names of the posses and we move a little quicker.

While I was in between programs I made Sunday my day to do yoga. I searched The Yoga Collective each time and pretty much stuck with the 1+ & 2 levels for my choices. Here are the four workouts I've done so far

So many workouts so little time to do them all! I enjoyed each online yoga class I did and will continue to use The Yoga Collective for my active rest days. I can't wait to explore more of what they have to offer over the year. I don't see myself advancing levels anytime soon as I'm unable to do any of the arm balancing positions. I'm happy where I am and can still learn a lot here.

Are you interested in exploring or expanding your yoga abilities? Take a look at their free yoga videos and see if yoga is something you'd be interested in. Enter to win a year's membership with The Yoga Collective. 50% of their profits go to charities. Who could pass that up?

Tuesday afternoon I signed up for the free 30 day trial of Beachbody on Demand. While I love the idea my computer wasn't cooperating so I won't be continuing beyond the trial. I still want to continue with strength training so that's what I looked for in the available programs. I don't feel I'm ready for any of the P90s so I went with Chalene Johnson's ChaLEAN Extreme. The first day I had to watch the workout on my teeny tiny phone screen....

Now I was scared a bit by EXTREME in the title. From other extreme workouts they seem crazy difficult. Not so much with this workout. The only EXTREME, at least in this first phase, are sets of 3 super duper slow reps. That is hard because I don't like to lift slow...I know I'm not alone with that. I don't have as much of a problem lifting up as I do lowering slowly. After going up for 8 seconds my arms just want to drop LOL

Someone asked me how I liked ChaLEAN Extreme so far in comparison to Body Beast. Honestly, there's no comparison as the only thing that's similar is you're lifting weights. Body Beast you have sets increasing and decreasing the amount of weight you're lifting. ChaLEAN Extreme you only do one set (using the max weight you can lift keeping proper form) of 10-12 reps. With Body Beast it seems like half your time is sitting or laying down lifting the weights. I think only one or two lifting exercises in this first phase of ChaLEAN Extreme were done on the floor. Sagi goes fast and Chalene goes slow. I could probably go on forever picking apart the differences between the two programs LOL

What I don't like as much is Chalene doesn't give you much time to switch up your weights. Chalene and the guy use some fancy schmancy dial-a-weight dumbbell set so you just have to flick your finger to adjust your weights. Chalene's sister and the modifier use a set of 3 dumbbells. There's another lady using resistance bands instead of dumbbells. I have to pause the video when I need to switch between the 5/10/15 lb adjustable dumbbell set. Not a big deal but I could use another set to avoid this LOL

This first month of ChaLEAN Extreme is the Burn Phase. As you know I don't follow the pre-determined schedules as I move them around to fit my availability.

Monday, April 20, 2015

I received these three packets of Alpine White Vanilla 100% Pure Whey Protein Isolate for free from Summit Nutrition in exchange for my honest review. I chose the vanilla over chocolate since I would have more options in what I could make. I have never used whey protein isolate before receiving these packets.

For the first packet Austin and I found a recipe and tweaked it for us, making a minty Shamrock shake (split between the two of us). I believe this was the first time I mixed a powder that resulted in NO CLUMPING. I love it when that happens, although I think this whey protein isolate may be tasty even in chunks.

The second packet I made Pink Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. This recipe came with the NuNaturals stevia and was yummy! I gobbled it up one afternoon.

The third packet I just added to one of my regular smoothies for the protein.

3 packets weren't enough to fully experience whey protein isolate for the first time. I probably would blow through the 2 or 5 lb in no time! But then Benny would complain about me using so much LOL

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

I went ahead and weighed in again last night since I knew last week was a fluke. BOOM! I nearly wiped out that freakish gain so I'm back where I need to be. Ahh, peace for the rest of April!

Week of Workouts

Thursday I did Kelly Coffey-Meyer's Muscle Definition Workout 1 followed by the Rock Your Core Challenge.

Friday I got some boxing in with Train Like a Contender Kelly's Mix.

Saturday I worked my Shoulders, Biceps, & Triceps with the premix.

Sunday was another yoga session with The Yoga Collective. This time it was a Soul Sweat Sesh so I wasn't in pain afterwards LOL. By the way, I will be doing a giveaway for a free year membership at the end of the month.

I decided that I needed a break from Kelly so I've been on the hunt for something different. Originally I thought I'd just swap out for another lifting program but ended up changing my mind. This week I'm doing workouts from Fitness Blender.

Yesterday I picked out a 5 minute warm up as well as a 5 minute cool down session to go along with the workout. I did the Bust Booster Chest Workout - Breast Lifting Exercises. Boy, did I feel weak! I couldn't get my shoulders up for anything. Afterwards it felt like I was wearing shoulder pads LOL

What I don't like about the Fitness Blender videos is there is no background music. It just makes everything too quiet! And that's saying something because I'm always turning off/down the music on the DVD workouts.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Something was in the air this month. I was up 3 lbs and so were most of the other Lifetime members. I wasn't expecting it but I was sore and had Chinese food Monday night.

Week of Workouts
Thursday was Kelly Coffey-Meyer's Muscle Definition Workout 2 with a little about work from the Rock Your Core Challenge..

Friday I did Circuit Burn Cardio & Boxing Pre-Mix.

Saturday was Muscle Definition Shoulders, Biceps, & Triceps Pre-Mix. My arms were achy and I struggled but pushed through the workout. My abs were achy too.

Sunday I wanted to try some yoga from The Yoga Collective. I selected the 40 minute Hip Opening Flow. I was cool throughout the day but at bed time my hips were also hurting. I ached all over!

Yesterday I muddled through the Muscle Definition Back & Chest Pre-Mix subbing the abs portion with the Rock Your Core Challenge.

Today I tried out a workout from the Tone It Up ladies - One Day Fat Blast. The workouts were OK but they didn't give enough time to transition or get your weights.

Omega-3 Supreme 1400 mg Fish Oil Concentrate 90ct

I was given a bottle of the Life & Food Fish Oil for free in exchange for my review. These gel capsules are smaller than the others I've seen. That makes them easier for me to swallow and also fit better in Benny's medicine case. This may be my favorite fish oil so far because it makes it easier to me to dispense his meds! LOL

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

One more week to go until my next official weigh in! I'm doing pretty good with this. Yeah, some days I'm eating more than I probably should but it's all balancing out. Now if only we could keep out the chaos it would be grand! LOL

My First Race

I had no idea how many people were there at the little community 5K. It seemed crowded in the gym where we checked in but a much smaller crowd at the starting line. Until I saw the results published I had no idea where I stood, not that it mattered anyway.

It was SOOO cold being only around 20F out but the sun was shining. Someone said that last year it was sleeting during the race. The sun was bright and I couldn't see where I was going so I just followed the orange cones to know which way to go LOL

It took me about 30 minutes to get halfway through and 20 more minutes to finished. I was actually a little surprised that it took me under an hour to walk it. After all I hadn't really walked since Halloween!

One thing I do want to say is if you bring your kids on a race YOU MUST HAVE SOMEONE WITH THEM AT ALL TIMES! This poor little girl was cold and started crying as all her people had abandoned her. I told the people at the checkpoint and they got ahold of someone to be with her.

Week of Workouts

So besides the race, what did I do this week?

Thursday I was off work to take Benny to see the ENT because it looks like he has another stone in his salivary gland. UGH! So I did a longer workout - 77 minutes of Kelly Coffey-Meyer's Muscle Definition Full Body Compilation. NEVER again will I do weightlifting for that long! I was worn out and had to use my other arm to help lift sometimes in the end.

Friday I rested to prep for the race.

Before the race I did a little yoga.

Austin pushed the button on my camera (still with the timer) so he photo bombed one picture LOL

Sunday I did the Muscle Definition Back & Chest Pre-Mix as Austin selected for me.

Monday I was tired so I rested again.

Yesterday I did Lift in Full Throttle Olympic Lifting (and am feeling it in my legs today LOL).

It was time for cardio today with Circuit Burn Cardio & Sculpting Pre-Mix.

Ginger Root

I started the 52 Week Be Better Challenge last week. This week's challenge is to make something with ginger root. I picked up a piece at Walmart yesterday so now I have to figure out what I will make. What is your favorite thing to make with ginger root?

Disclaimer

I am here to coach you and keep you accountable throughout your journey to improve your overall health and wellness. The information contained on The Long and Winding Road to Wellness is for informational purposes only. I am not a personal trainer, nutritionist/dietician, or mental health counselor. The content of this site is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding your medical condition.

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